Children risk crocodiles to go to primary school on handmade rafts

Flooding has forced children at a school in Kenya to travel to school by handmade boats – braving the dangers of crocodiles and hippos.

Their journey to Katuit Primary School is hazardous because the level of Lake Baringo has risen in recent months, separating parts of the community by water.

Boats are also used to take people to a health centre where they get their vital tetanus vaccinations.

The children's amazing daily journey is revealed in a UNICEF video which looks at the important of jabs to combat maternal and neonatal tetanus.

It is a disease which hits the poorest – most cases are found in communities with limited access to immunisation and to quality healthcare before, during and after birth.

Baringo County was identified as one of 60 high-risk areas and the target there was to reach 130,000 girls and women.

Children are being taught at school about the dangers of tetanus and the need for vaccinations.

Aliaphonse Arite, a grade seven student at Kakuit Primary School, said: “My teacher taught me about tetanus. Tetanus is a diseease that is caught when mothers and girls get in contact with dirt and it is very important to be vaccinated against it.”

Involving school is key to the success of the campaign to ensure that all girls from underserved communities are immunised. It gets the word not only to those who attend school but also to their sisters who may not be in class.

Learn more about what UNICEF is doing to tackle maternal and neonatal tetanus.